Process and apparatus for the combustion firing of asphalt, petroleum and pulverized coal

ABSTRACT

A process and apparatus for the combustion firing of asphalt, petroleum and pulverized coal including a fuel gun having a tubular body, a fuel source and an emulsifying agent source in communication with the fuel gun, a fuel tube assembly passing longitudinally through a substantial portion of the fuel gun tubular body, the fuel tube assembly terminating in a fuel spinner, a gate at the locus of the spinner between the outer periphery of the latter and the inner periphery of the tubular body for admitting the emulsifying agent for mixing with the fuel in an emulsifying chamber after it passes through the fuel spinner, thereby forming an emulsion slurry, the slurry then being fed through a second spinner to a spin shamber prior to discharge from the gun for firing.

United States Patent De Voe [45] Apr. 11, 1972 s41 PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THE 2,212,052 8/1940 Schultz ..239/402 COMBUSTION FIRING OF ASPHALT, 1 3 1 3; 138 s y etmore..... PETROLEUM AND PULVERIZED COAL 1,980,132 11/1934 Fletcher [72] Inventor: Albert W. De Voe, R. F. D. 4, Portland, 3,124,086 3/1964 Sage et a1 ..110/7S Maine 04105 Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. [22] Wed: June 1970 Assistant Examiner-John J. Love 21 Appl 44 07 Attorney-Shlesinger, Arkwright & Garvey Related [1.8. Application Data [57] ABSTRACT [62] Division of Ser. No. 747,698, July 25, 1968, Pat. No. A process and apparatus for the combustion firing of asphalt, 3,556,408, petroleum and pulverized coal including a fuel gun having a tubular body, a fuel source and an emulsifying agent source in [52] us. Cl ..239/8 communication with th fu gun, a fu tu assem ly passing 51 1111.01. ..F23c 11/00 longitudinally through a substantial portion of the fuel gun 58 Field of Search ..239/8, 402-406; bular y. the fuel tube assembly terminating in a fuel 43 0 7 5 spinner, a gate at the locus of the spinner between the outer periphery of the latter and the inner periphery of the tubular 56 R f 18d body for admitting the emulsifying agent for mixing with the 1 e erences Cl fuel in an emulsifying chamber after it passes through the fuel UNITED STATES PATENTS spinner, thereby forming an emulsion slurry, the slurry then being fed through a second spinner to a spin shamber prior to 738,13 I 9/ l 903 Weaver discharge from the gun for firing 2,066,703 1/1937 Stephens 3,176,921 4/ 1965 DeVoe ..238/8 8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures I38 5 I40 s2 #3 2O 92 24 w \'\\\\\\\\\\\\\\v;\\\\\\\\ 1- i M 11s,... =2 mg :,i- X I \"2 Vl/Al i"'///// 32 i g i \34 16 60 I8 2| 44 l lllIlll om B. mm I 5 v5 ATTORNEYS This application is a division of Application Ser. No. 747,698, filed July 25, 1968, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,556,408.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a process for the combustion firing of a fuel such as asphalt, petroleum and pulverized coal wherein the fuel is fed through a tubular member and spun prior to mixing with steam or air, for emulsifying the fuel and producing an emulsion slurry, following which the emulsion slurry is spun to effect further refinement prior to discharge from the gun for firing.

Another object is to provide apparatus for the combustion firing of asphalt, petroleum and pulverized coal including a gun in which the fuel is emulsified by steam or air to refine the mixture into a flame-ready condition, to effect complete combustion thereof at a high flame temperature and producing a highly propagated flame.

Another object is to provide a fuel gun including a tubular body in which is centrally mounted a tube assembly through which the fuel passes, an emulsifying agent being fed under pressure between the tube assembly and the wall of the tubular housing, the fuel being spun by a helical member prior to entry into an emulsifying chamber, the emulsifying agent being diffused through a gate adjacent the helical member, the emulsifying agent being mixed with the fuel to form an emulsion slurry which is then fed through a second helical member to produce a greater refinement effect prior to the discharge from the gun.

A further object is to provide a process and apparatus of the character described for refining hydrocarbon products to the point where they may be efficiently employed as a fuel with resultant complete combustion and elimination of polluting smoke and other products of combustion which have heretofore prevented the use of such products as fuels.

Other objects of the invention will be manifest from the following description of the presently preferred forms of the present invention, taken in connection with the appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the assembly of the present invention, portions thereof being shown fragmentarily and in elevation;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the assembly of FIG. 1, taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the fuel gun of the present invention, showing to advantage the spinner members;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a spinner body per se;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the spinner body of the present invention incorporated in a sleeve for mounting in an intermediate portion of the fuel gun,

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the spinner body incorporated in a sleeve member for mounting in the discharge terminal of the fuel gun,

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of the present invention, and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8, looking the direction of the arrows.

SUMMARY The present invention is a process and apparatus for refining fuels such as asphalt, petroleum and pulverized coal preparatory to ignition, for effecting complete combustion, the apparatus including a fuel gun having a tubular body through which an emulsifying agent such as steam or air is passed. A fuel tube passing through the tubular body carries the fuel to a spinner assembly where the fuel flows through helical grooves to produce a spinning effect, after which it is mixed with the emulsifying agent to form an emulsion slurry. This slurry is directed to a second spinner assembly where the emulsion is further refined and then discharged through a plurality of openings in a nose cone.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGS. 1 TO 6 The process and apparatus of the present invention constitute an improvement over the subject matter of my previously granted US. Pat. No. 3,176,921 granted Apr. 6, 1965.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the present invention includes a fuel gun generally designated 10 in operative connection with which is a steam or air equalizing chamber 12 and a fuel source 14.

Fuel gun 10 generally comprises a tubular body section 16 to one terminal of which is threadedly engaged at 18 a body 20. A locking ring is indicated at 22. The forward portion of body 20 is tapered as indicated at 24 and terminates in a reduced extension 26.

An emulsifying agent cap 28 is threadedly engaged at 30 with the rear terminal of tubular body section 16, the cap being provided with a central opening 32.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a fuel tube assembly generally designated 34 which is centrally mounted within tubular body section 16 and extends longitudinally through the major portion thereof. Fuel tube assembly 34 includes a tee block 36 positioned within tubular body section 16 near the aft end thereof, the tee block including a bore 38 which is coaxial with the axis of tubular body section 16. A plug 40 is inserted into the rearward terminal of bore 38 to prevent the entry of air, steam or other materials into the bore. Forwardly of the plug, there are provided a pair of tubular members 42 and 44 which are threaded into tee block 36 at 46 and 48 respectively for communication with bore 38. Tubes 42 and 44 extend from tubular body section 16 and are held in operative position by a suitable mounting member 50.

Tubular member 42 is connected by a conduit 52 to steam or air equalizing chamber 12 and tubular member 44 is connected by tubular means 54 to fuel source 14.

A fuel tube 56 is threadedly engaged at 58 to the forward end of tee block 36 and extends coaxially with the longitudinal axis of tubular body 16. It will be noted from a consideration of FIGS. 1 and 4 of the drawing that fuel tube 56 is in spaced relation to the inner wall of tubular body section 16, thus forming an air or steam passageway 60. The forward terminal of fuel tube 56 is threadedly engaged at 62 with a tubular connector 64, the forward terminal of which is threadedly engaged at 66 with a spinner assembly generally designated 68.

Spinner assembly 68 is shown to advantage in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 and includes a cylindrical body portion 70 the outer periphery of which is provided with a series of longitudinal helical grooves 72 and longitudinal helical lands 74. The diameter of body 70 is uniform through a substantial portion of the length thereof, but is gradually enlarged at the forward terminal as indicated at 76.

In connection with body 70, there is provided a sleeve 75 one portion of which is threaded at 78 for engagement with complemental threads 66 of coupling 64. Sleeve 75 is welded or secured in any other suitable fashion to lands 74 as indicated at 80. Sleeve 75 serves to direct fuels passing through fuel tube 56 into grooves 72 for producing a spinning effect on the fuel. An annulus 77 extends outwardly from sleeve 75 into a space forwardly of reduced extension 26.

Referring now to FIG. 4, it will be seen that spinner assembly 68 extends centrally through an opening in a gate generally designated 82. Gate 82 includes a pair of spaced discs 84 and 86 which are mounted in an annular recess of forward body 20, discs 84 and 86 being provided with a plurality of staggered openings 88 and 90 through which an emulsifying agent such as steam or air passes.

The air or steam flowing through openings 88 and 90 and the fuel passing through grooves 72 of spinner assembly 68 enter an emulsifying chamber 92 formed by forward tubular section 20. Due to the spinning effect on the fuel produced by assembly 68, an intermingling of the fuel and steam or air is effected to break up the fuel into smaller particles and produce and emulsion slurry. This slurry moves forward through the emulsifying chamber 92 where further intermingling occurs after which it enters a first stage emulsion accelerator chamber 94 of gradually decreasing cross-sectional areas throughout. The emulsion then enters an emulsion alignment chamber 96 and then enters a second emulsion accelerator chamber 98.

At the forward end of body 20, there is provided a second spinner assembly 100. Spinner assembly 100 includes a cylindrical body of the same construction as that employed in spinner assembly 68, like parts being identified by like, primed numbers. A sleeve 102, shown to advantage in FIGS. 4 and 7, is positioned over the body and is welded at 104 to lands 74. The outer periphery of sleeve 102 is provided with a longitudinal spline 106 adapted for reception in a complemental projection of body 20. An annulus 108 extends from the outer periphery of sleeve 102 at the forward end thereof, and is adapted to abut the terminal of body 20 as shown to advantage in FIG. 4.

The reduced forward terminal 26 of body 20 is threaded at 112 for engagement with a nose cone 114. Nose cone 114 is provided with a central bore into which spinner assembly 100 extends, the latter being spaced from the terminal of nose cone 114 to provide a spin chamber 116 within which the emulsion slurry is further accelerated and directed. The size of spin chamber 116 may be enlarged by insertion of shims into the space between adjacent faces of reduced extension 26 and nose cone 114, proximate annulus 77. Nose cone 114 is further provided with an end wall 118 having a plurality of circularly arranged discharge outlets 120 which are disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the fuel gun, thereby providing a conical flame pattern when the fuel mixture is discharged therethrough and ignited.

The emulsifying medium for breaking up the fuel particles is applied by steam or air equalizing chamber 12 which is connected to a storage tank 122 by means of a line 124. Equalizing chamber 12 is mounted on fuel gun by supports 128. The steam or air is supplied to the fuel gun by a conduit 130 which is fed through a fitting 132 threadedly engaged in the central aperture of cap 28. Tubing 52 extends from a steam source 134 and is suitably valved as at 136 to purge the fuel line with steam at shut down operation. Secondary emulsifying agent is supplied to the fuel gun by a line or lines 138 which extend from equalizing chamber 12 to longitudinal body section 16, where it is admitted thereto through an opening or openings 140.

OPERATION In use of the apparatus of the present invention, the fuel in source 14 is of high viscosity, is preferably preheated to a suitable temperature for application. The heated fuel is then fed through line 54 into fuel tube assembly 34. Steam is also fed into the fuel tube assembly through tubing 52 for purging the fuel line preparatory to cessation of firing. Steam or air is fed into the aft end of the gun through line 130, which steam or air moves down the length of the fuel gun between the outer periphery of tube 56 and the inner periphery of tubular body section 16. Secondary air is also fed into the tubular body section through tubular member or members 134.

As the fuel moving through the fuel tube assembly reaches spinner assembly 68, the fuel is directed to take a helical path through grooves 72 to produce a spinning effect on the fuel which, upon entry into emulsifying chamber 92, intermixes with the air or steam passing through openings 88 and 90 of discs 84 and 86 comprising gate 82 to form an emulsion slurry which is continuously intermingled throughout the length of the emulsifying chamber and is accelerated through accelerator chamber 94. The slurry is then aligned through chamber 96, following which the slurry moves into engagement with second spinner assembly 100. The slurry is directed into grooves 72 of the spinner to once again produce a spinning effect on the slurry to further accelerate and direct the slurry in chamber 116. At this point, the mixture is in a flame-ready" condition and is discharged through openings in nose cone 114.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGS. 8 & 9

In FIGS. 8 and 9, there is illustrated a modified form of the present invention, and in particular, a center orifice type tip. In this form of the invention, the body section of the apparatus is similar to that employed in the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7, and is designated 20.

Body section 20 includes an emulsifying chamber 96 and an emulsion accelerator 98' of gradually decreasing cross-sectional area. Reduced portion 26 of body section 20 is threaded at 112 for threaded engagement with a nose cone 138, the forward face of which is dished at 140 and provided with a central aperture 142.

A spinner assembly 144 is positioned in the tapering portion 24' of body section 20. Assembly 144 includes a cylindrical body 146, the forward terminal of which is of reduced conical shape, as indicated at 148. Conical portion 148 extends through central aperture 142 and beyond the forward extremity of nose cone 138. The forward terminal of cylindrical body 146 is spaced from the forward face of nose cone 138 to provide a spin chamber 150 within which the emulsion slurry is further accelerated and directed.

The outer periphery of cylindrical body 146 is provided with a series of longitudinal helical grooves 152 and longitudinal helical lands 154. The diameter of body 146 is uniform through a substantial portion of the length thereof, but is gradually enlarged at the forward end as indicated at 156.

A sleeve 158 is welded or secured in any other manner to lands 154, which sleeve serves to direct fuels into grooves 152 of body 146. Sleeve 1.58 is provided with a plurality of splineways 160 adapted to receive splines 162 extending inwardly from body extension 26 to prevent rotation of the spinner assembly 144. A sleeve annulus is indicated at 164.

Spin chamber 150 may be enlarged in the same manner as described above in connection with the form of invention illustrated in FIGS; 1 to 6.

Operation of the fuel gun illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 is substantially the same as described above in connection with the form of invention of FIGS. 1 to 6.

In the use of the present invention with a hydrocarbon liquid fuel oil, the adhesive liquid structure of the oil is broken up so that an emulsion is sprayed into the combustion chamber in such a fine mist that ignition is effected sooner, and 100 percent combustion of all particles is possible. This eliminates soot, smoke and other undesirable products of combustion, thereby preventing air pollution problems. This also eliminates the necessity of blowing tubes in boilers in accordance with previous practice.

The spinner member forming a salient part of the present invention may be formed with either left hand or right hand helices. The depth of the grooves is based on the amount of oil flow but as long as the grooves are deep enough and wide enough to allow the oil flow demand, variations can be made by adjustment of pressure.

While there have been herein shown and described the presently preferred forms of the present invention, it is to be understood that such has been done for purposes of illustration only, and that various changes may be made therein within the scope of the claims hereto appended.

Iclaim:

1. A process for preparing a mixture for combustion firing comprising:

a. feeding a pre-heated fuel into a firing gun for movement longitudinally and axially thereof,

b. directing the fuel to take a helical path to produce a spinning effect on the fuel at a point intermediate the length of the firing gun,

c. admitting an emulsifying agent to the aft end of the gun for movement longitudinally thereof, exteriorly and separate from the fuel,

d. breaking up of the emulsifying agent into a plurality of jets moving longitudinally of the firing gun and parallel to the axis thereof,

e. mixing the spinning fuel with the jets of emulsifying agent to produce an emulsion slurry, and

f. discharging the emulsion slurry preparatory to firing.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein a. the emulsifying agent is steam.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein a. the emulsifying agent is air.

4. The process of claim 1, with the additional step of a. spinning the emulsion slurry preparatory to discharging from the firing gun to further refine the fuel particles in the slurry.

5. The process of claim 1, with the additional steps of a. accelerating and aligning the emulsion slurry during passage through the firing gun.

6. The process of claim 1, with the additional step of a. supplying a secondary emulsifying agent to the firing gun.

7. A process for preparing a mixture for combustion firing comprising:

a. feeding a pre-heated fuel into a firing gun for movement longitudinally and axially thereof,

b. directing the fuel to take a helical path to produce a spinning effect on the fuel at a point intermediate the length of the firing gun,

c. admitting an emulsifying agent to the aft end of the gun for movement longitudinally thereof, exteriorly and separate from the fuel, and

d. breaking up the emulsifying agent into a plurality of jets moving longitudinally of the firing gun and parallel to the axis thereof,

e. mixing the jets of the emulsifying agent and fuel to produce an emulsion slurry, 1

f. accelerating and aligning the emulsion slurry during continued passage through the firing gun, and

g. spinning the emulsion slurry preparatory to discharging the same from the firing gun to further refine the fuel particles in the slurry.

8. The process of claim 7, wherein:

a. the emulsion slurry is emitted from the firing gun in a conical pattern. 

2. The process of claim 1, wherein a. the emulsifying agent is steam.
 3. The process of claim 1, wherein a. the emulsifying agent is air.
 4. The process of claim 1, with the additional step of a. spinning the emulsion slurry preparatory to discharging from the firing gun to further refine the fuel particles in the slurry.
 5. The process of claim 1, with the additional steps of a. accelerating and aligning the emulsion slurry during passage through the firing gun.
 6. The process of claim 1, with the additional step of a. supplying a secondary emulsifying agent to the firing gun.
 7. A process for preparing a mixture for combustion firing comprising: a. feeding a pre-heated fuel into a firing gun for movement longitudinally and axially thereof, b. directing the fuel to take a helical path to produce a spinning effect on the fuel at a point intermediate the length of the firing gun, c. admitting an emulsifying agent to the aft end of the gun for movement longitudinally thereof, exteriorly and separate from the fuel, and d. breaking up the emulsifying agent into a plurality of jets moving longitudinally of the firing gun and parallel to the axis thereof, e. mixing the jets of the emulsifying agent and fuel to produce an emulsion slurry, f. accelerating and aligning the emulsion slurry during continued passage through the firing gun, and g. spinning the emulsion slurry preparatory to discharging the same from the firing gun to further refine the fuel particles in the slurry.
 8. The process of claim 7, wherein: a. the emulsion slurry is emitted from the firing gun in a conical pattern. 